ULEZ: Everything We Know (So Far)

Significant changes to motoring in London are due to transpire at the end of this month, with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announcing plans for Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) to cover all London boroughs from August 29^th, 2023.

ULEZ was launched in 2019, covering all areas within the North and South Circular Roads. The newly planned ULEZ expansion, however, will change motoring in London throughout all boroughs in the city.

But how does the ULEZ plans change road travel in the capital? Let’s explore to find that out.

What is ULEZ?

The Ultra Low Emission Zone is an area in London that seeks to tackle pollution by charging high-polluting vehicles to drive within the zone.

By charging London motorists, the government hopes to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads that may be negatively impacting the environment.

The original ULEZ plans for London in 2019 saw Central London have cameras installed around the city centre, recording people’s number plate and checking against a database to see if the vehicle is ULEZ compliant.

The new ULEZ project that is set to be implemented at the end of this month will see an expansion on the vicinity of ULEZ rules. Nearly 1,000 more cameras are planned to be installed, meaning this should bring the total of ULEZ cameras up to 2,750 once the expansion is complete.

Is My Vehicle ULEZ Compliant?

To be ULEZ compliant, your vehicle must be within the levels of exhaust pollution – this is mainly measured by Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). Measurements are dependent on what vehicle you own, e.g., petrol car, diesel car, van, etc.

These rules are separated into 3 standards for specific vehicle types – Euro 3, Euro 4, and Euro 6.

The rules for each Euro standard applies to the selected categories, as follows:

Euro 3 (Cars registered from 1^st January 2001) – NOx emissions limit of 500mg/km for diesel, 150mg/km for petrol.

Euro 4 (Cars registered from 1^st January 2006) – NOx emissions limit of 250mg/km for diesel, 80mg/km for petrol.

Euro 6 (Cars registered from 1^st September 2015) – NOx emissions limit of 80mg/km for diesel, 60mg/km for petrol.

ULEZ Compliance Check

To check if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant, visit Transport for London and enter your registration.

How Much is the ULEZ Charge?

The ULEZ charge for vehicles that are not exempt and do not meet the Euro emission standards outlined above is a £12.50 payment.

Motorists must pay the charge on the third day following the journey in which they travelled through a ULEZ permitted zone or up to 90 days in advance. Failure to pay the charge will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

How Do I Pay the ULEZ Charge?

Two recommended methods of payment for any ULEZ charges are Auto Pay or the Transport for London website.

You can set up Auto Pay online today, that also covers Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charges. Auto Pay will allow you to be billed automatically without any manual procedures.

Does ULEZ Affect Electric Vehicles?

No, ULEZ does not affect fully-electric vehicles as they are exempt from any ULEZ congestion charges. However, BHEVs are not fully exempt as they are still treated as petrol/diesel cars, even though majority of hybrid vehicles meet the Euro emission standards.

Are ULEZs Nationwide (UK)?

As of right now, ULEZ rules are not planned to go nationwide and are only available in London. Although LEZs are located in certain areas in the UK, many leaders, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, are opposing plans of ULEZs across the country ahead of the planned implementation of London-wide ULEZ.

Will ULEZ Be Scrapped?

As of right now, there are no plans for ULEZ to be scrapped and will still continue indefinitely throughout boroughs in London. Even though there are many opposers to the scheme, Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn, has stood by his decision to tackle air pollution in the UK's capital.

How Do I Find Out More on ULEZ?

To know more about ULEZ, visit the Transport for London website where more information on the policy can be found.